The Journey!
So all of you must have a cell phone. Some of you may be reading this on your mobile phone itself (but I hope not while walking or driving….*who reads while driving!*…I don’t know, be safe).
I am sure that all of us at some time might have wondered as to how a small device in your hand came into existence (never wondered? It’s okay. Maybe I’ll make you).
I am focusing on the growth of modern mobile phones, which we can trace back to 1973. It all started when Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola (also called the father of cell phones), developed a handheld device and supposedly called his rival company.
In 1983, they released a more commercial version called Motorola DynaTAC 8000x (sounds more like a robot’s name, doesn’t it?). Although a marvel of innovation, this device was heavy and big (practically like a brick) and took very long to get charged while giving very little talk time (still cannot be blamed).
Initially, the network was not much expanded, and there was limited usage among common citizens. As the years passed, more and more companies evolved to achieve supremacy in this industry. Companies like Nokia, Sony, Blackberry, Samsung, and Siemens, along with Motorola and many others, started a Race of the Devices.
Nokia turned out to be a smart and major player with its series of handsets starting from basic analogue ones like Nokia Cityman1320 to Nokia 101, to GSM ones like Nokia 1011, 8210, 6110, 5110, and the very popular 3310, and (the practically invincible one) 1100 which came out in 2003.
Sony (or Ericsson or Sony Ericsson) was also trying hard to be recognized, and it did, but only at a later time. In the 1990s, its notable models included GH172, GF768, T28, and A1018 (*these are cell phone models?* Yeah, I know… it’s ok nobody knows about them…anyway).
Motorola was also there in the game with its different models, especially StarTac (apparently inspired by StarTrek!!) series, including 85, 70, lite, 110, Slimlite, etc.
In a similar timeline, Blackberry launched qwerty side slide phones, which attracted people. Although it had some noticeable models like S300, SGH-T100, and SPH-M100 with unique qualities, Samsung struggled to make its presence.
However, IBM evolved the first touchscreen phone in 1992 (*seriously?* Yes!) and was called IBM Simon Personal Communicator (supposedly also the world’s first smartphone!). LG Chocolate KG800 was also one such better-looking phone and then came the ‘iPhone’ in 2007.
The list can go on and on with other companies, but let’s stop here and go to the days of the future past (or, let’s say, to the late 2000s to present).
By Framesira/ ShutterstockToday we have nuclear machines like Oneplus 2 (octa-core 1.8 GHz, 4GB Ram, full HD gorilla glass, 13 MP camera, etc.) Xiaomi Mi4 (quad-core 2.5 GHz, 3 GB Ram, full HD, 13 MP camera, etc.), Meizu MX5 (octa-core 2.2 GHz, 3 GB Ram, full HD, 20.7 MP camera, etc.), and many more, which are available in only half the price.
Now let me be clear, I am not trying to do marketing or publicity for these brands. These and various other phones are serious performance packed devices that deliver what they promise, sometimes even more.
